Friends of Jazz at UCLA provides financial support and other resources to advance the study of jazz at
UCLA. The organization's core objectives include:
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Supporting the growing needs of the UCLA Jazz Studies program with respect to student support, workshops, lectures, and master classes;
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Producing musical events to benefit jazz studies;
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Supporting the ongoing development of the Kenny Burrell Archive of African American Music;
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Supporting outreach to secondary school students to raise awareness of jazz;
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Improving knowledge of UCLA and its extraordinary educational resources including its Jazz Studies
Program;
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Providing more positive exposure and public awareness of jazz.
Programs and Accomplishments o Produces major fundraising concerts and co-sponsors auxiliary concerts including the debut of the moving
‘Ralph J. Bunche Suite’ composed by our Executive Director, Kenny Burrell. o Present performances by a wide cross-section of jazz legends, including Diana Krall, Steve Tyrell, John, Jeff
& Gerald Clayton, Mike Melvoin, Nancy Wilson and Hubert Laws. o Presented UCLA Jazz Orchestra — directed by Charley Harrison and featuring Gerald Wilson — and the
UCLA Latin Jazz Orchestra directed by Bobby Rodriguez performing a “Tribute to Dizzy Gillespie,” composed and performed by Lalo Schifrin and featuring Jon Faddis. o Presented awards to Tony Bennett, David L. Abell, Louie Bellson, Benny Carter, Benny Green, Hank
Jones, Hubert Laws, James Moody, Horace Silver, Clark Terry, Gerald Wilson, Nancy Wilson, Gerald
Wiggins, and Snooky Young. o Presented informative lectures by world famous jazz producers and historians, George Avakian, George o As part of the David L. Abell Jazz Salon Series presented piano performances by George Cables, Benny
Green, Fred Hersch, Hank Jones, Harold Mabern and Jessica Williams.
Wein and Orrin Keepnews.

o Raised $200,000 for scholarships in the UCLA Jazz Studies Program. o Sponsored and capture, in a series of photographs, the connections, growth, and universal appeal of jazz music and jazz musicians of all generations and styles. o Honored in jazz – at a special reception following the Gerald Wilson Tribute Concert. o Sponsored UCLA Jazz Orchestra and UCLA Contemporary Jazz Ensemble (both student groups) to travel to Reno, Berkeley, and, Japan for special performances and competitions. o Co-hosted a New Years Eve celebration with the Jazz Bakery and KKJZ featuring the All-Star Quintet James
Moody, Kenny Burrell, Benny Green, Clayton Cameron and Trevor Ware. o Hosted an afternoon at Catalina Bar & Grill with author Claire Gordon, the Alan Broadbent Trio, and the
UCLA Jazz Studies Faculty. o Co-hosted a holiday celebration with the Jazz Bakery and KKJZ featuring Tierney Sutton, Hubert Laws and
Larry Koonse. o Coordinated and co-sponsored a campus visit for 130 students and 10 teachers/administrators from Fernando
Pullum Performing Arts High School, consisting of a campus tour, admissions advising presentations, class visits, dinner with current students, and attendance at the UCLA Big Band Concert at Schoenberg Hall. o Sponsor of the the Gerald Wilson Living Legends Music and Lecture Series – a unique series created to honor Maestro Gerald Wilson for his many years of outstanding contributions in the fields of music and music education. The series features Wilson with guests who are experts in the fields of jazz and popular music.